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J.C. 'Buddy' Watts dies, father of congressman

J.C. "Buddy" Watts Sr., father of Rep. J.C. Watts Jr., died Thursday in Oklahoma City of complications from cancer, a spokeswoman in his son's office said.

Watts, 77, of Eufaula was at Integris Baptist Medical Center when he died.

Watts had been suffering from cancer for the past four to five months, the spokeswoman for Rep. Watts said.

During his lifetime, the elder Watts was in law enforcement for 10 years and also served on the Eufaula City Council.

He was a Democrat, although his son, J.C., is a Republican leader.

In 1998, Watts ran as a Democratic candidate for state labor commissioner, listing his occupation as a farmer. He won the Democratic nomination, but was defeated in the general election.

Services are pending at Gregg Funeral Home in Eufaula.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley, of the home in Eufaula; a brother, Lois, of Milwaukee, Wis.; and six children: Melvin of Boynton; Lawrence of Eufaula; Mildred Chiles of Owasso; Gwendolyn Johnson of Eufaula; Darlene White of Oklahoma City; and J.C. Watts Jr. of Norman.